EPISTEMOLOGY

Course Code:

PHIL 232

Semester:

Spring

Course Type:

Core

P:

3

Lab:

0

Laboratuvar Saati:

0

Credits:

3

ECTS:

7

Course Language:

English

Course Objectives:

The aim of this course is to handle the question of “What is knowledge?” with all of its aspects and scrutinize different definitions and conceptions of knowledge as well as fundamental questions like the origins and conditions of knowledge, opinion, certainty, types of knowledge by reading classical and contemporary philosophical texts.

Course Content:

An analysis of the major problems of the Theory of Knowledge in the context of the original texts of the philosophers, such as those of Plato, Aristotle, Sextus Empiricus, Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, Wittgenstein. What is knowledge? How is knowledge possible? What are the foundations of knowledge? Is knowledge with absolute certainty possible? Objectivism vs. Subjectivism, Realism vs. Idealism, Rationalism vs. Empiricism, the difference between analytic and synthetic propositions, between the a priori and a posteriori, validity, truth, induction and deduction.

Course Methodology:

1: Lecture, 2: Question-Answer, 3: Discussion, 4: Exercises

Course Evaluation Methods:

A: Testing, B: Experience, C: Homework

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes Upon the completion of this course a student:	Program Learning Outcomes	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
1) grasps the historical arguments about the quiddity, conditions and possibility of knowledge.	1, 2, 6, 7, 9	1, 2, 3	A, C
2) discusses the arguments concerning the definition of knowledge.	1, 2, 6, 9	1, 2, 3	A, C
3) analyzes the current problems in the field of the theory of knowledge.	1, 2, 6, 9	1, 2, 3	A, C
4) assesses the rationalist, empiricist, critical, pragmatist and naturalist conceptions of knowledge.	1, 2, 6, 7, 9	1, 2, 3	A, C
5) defines the problems concerning the distinctions among different types of knowledge.	1, 2, 6, 9	1, 2, 3	A, C

Course Flow

Week	Topics	Study Materials
1	Introduction: The field and main questions of the philosophy of knowledge.	-
2	Fundamental conceptual distinctions concerning “knowledge” and the distinctions among ways of “knowing”.	-
3	The first ancient discussions concerning the quiddity, origin and types of knowledge: Plato’s Theaetetus.	Theaetetus
4	The historical contexts and current interpretations of problems of the classical definition of knowledge in termz of the concepts of “truth”, “justiification” and “belief”.	Theaetetus Gettier examples
5	Various meanings and interpretations of the concept of “truth”: correspondence, consistency and pragmatic conception of truth.	Excerpts
6	Different ideas about the relation between the concepts of “opinion”, “belief” and “knowledge”, on “certainty”, and on the conditions of knowledge throughout the history of philosophy.	Excerpts
7	Midterm Exam
8	The problem of the origins of knowledge within the context of the rationalism-empiricism dispute: Descartes and Leibniz.	Excerpts
9	The problem of the origins of knowledge within the context of the rationalism-empiricism dispute: Locke, Berkeley and Hume.	Locke, Hume, Excerpts
10	The discussion on the conditions and limits of knowledge: Kant’s critical philaosophy.	Kant
11	Scientific knowledge, the nature of science and naturalistic theories of knowledge.	Excerpts
12	The current interpretations of the problems of epistemology within the context of contemporary analytic philosophy.	Excerpts
13	The current interpretations of the problems of epistemology within the context of contemporary continental philosophy.	Excerpts
14	General assessment of the problem area of philosophy of knowledge, discussion of possible further research orientations.	-
15	Final Exam	-

Recommended Sources

Textbook

Additional Resources

Platon (1995), Theaetetus. Opera. Oxford University Press.

Platon (2004), Theaetetus, çev. J. Sachs. Focus Philosophical Library.

John Locke (1979), An Essay concerning Human Understanding, yay. P. Nidditch. Oxford University Press.

David Hume (1975), An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, yay. P. Nidditch. Clarendon Press.

Immanuel Kant (1998), Critique of Pure Reason, çev. P. Guyer, A. E. Wood. Cambridge University Press.

Material Sharing

Documents	Selections from recent academic papers.
Assignments
Exams

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms	1	30
Assignments	3	30
Final Examination	1	40
Total		100
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE		40
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE		60
Total		100

COURSE CATEGORY

Area-Specific Courses

Course’s Contribution to Program

No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Grasps the fundamental concepts and analytical methods necessary to succeed in academic studies in the field of philosophy.				X
2	Acquires a versatile critical and analytical approach, and problem-solving, interpretative and argumentative skills necessary for a successful career in philosophy.				X
3	Communicates effectively, is specifically successful in written and oral presentation, has proper capacities for teamwork and interdisciplinary studies, takes the initiative, has developed a sense of responsibility, contributes original ideas to the field of philosophy, and is loyal to ethical principles.				X
4	Reaches the perfection of pursuing professional and personal development by using all means of knowledge with a view to lifelong learning.			X
5	Develops a consciousness of professional and social ethics.		X
6	Gains the skills of choosing and developing contemporary means required in philosophical applications as well as using computing technologies effectively.			X
7	Acquires substantial knowledge of the history of philosophy.					X
8	Learns a classical and at least one modern foreign language so as to read the historical texts of philosophy in the original.			X
9	Pinpoints, recognizes, grasps and discusses the problems of philosophy within their context in the history of philosophy.					X
10	Develops perfection in reading, understanding and analyzing philosophical texts in different languages.				X

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 15x Total course hours)	15	4	60
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	10	6	60
Mid-terms	1	15	15
Assignments	3	5	15
Final examination	1	25	25
Total Work Load			175
Total Work Load / 25 (h)			7
ECTS Credit of the Course			7

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